Using several techniques, we here show that: CD163-expressing cells are abundant in the inflamed intestine of patients with CD and patients with UC; IL-6, a cytokine over-produced in IBD, positively regulates CD163 expression in normal lamina propria mononuclear cells (LPMC) and mucosal explants; CD163 triggers inflammatory signals. The gene discussed is CD163; the disease is inflammatory bowel disease.